The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1887-01-07

Hewitt, keeps wntchful eye upon eyery town
ship. Through the agency Of tho LOGO local
boards. prompt Information is received OF the
presence OF any epidemic OF infectious disease
In any quarter among men or animals, and
equally prompt measures are applied for its iso-
lation aud suppression. The value and import
ance of such an organization has been repeatedly
demonstrated in the successful management By
the board through It's agency OF several out
breaks of smallpox and diphtheria Ia widely
separated districts. and of q particularly aggra-
vated outbreak of glandcrs in horses in 1855
The board has adopted elaborate precaution-
airy measures TO protect the herds OF the state
against pleugo- pneumonia which has recently
developed to an alarming extent among cattle in
states TO the south and east of us. The danger
Of spread OF tho infection TO Minnesota Is re-
garded as remote, but in the event of its appear
ance here most energetic measures for its quar-
antine and extirpation have been prepared.
nv @ she e, most valuable service performed
i've work. They seek, by tho adoption of
thorough system Of sanitation In our cities and
towns, careful scrutiny of sources Of water
supply and their protection from pollution, the
the imposition OF proper regulations and re-
straints upon offensive trades and employments,
and kindred measures. TO preserve the public
OF this character Of work cannot be measured by
results, but its benfits are being unconsciously
realized by every inhabitant Of the state.
carafui collation. OF the vital statistics OF the
state would prove Of great value TO our boards of
health as well as to the general public. As now
collected they aie practically worthless for any
whatever. would therefore renew my recon-
mendation. made to your predecessors. that the
collection OF such statistics be placed by law in
charge Of the state board of health.
As the danger Of the appearance of cholera in
this country Las not wholly passed, i recon-
mend a renewal of the contingent appropriation
made in 1885, to meet expenses arising from
The recommendation OF the state board Of
health respecting amendments to the statutes
will doubtless receive your early examination
and approval 70 1.= y
PUBLIC EXAMINER. -
especially commend to your attention the
report OF the public examiner. His lucid EXPOSE
ton Of he defects in our system OF administer
tering the public revenues should command
thoughtful study. with a view of q thorough re-
vision OF the methods now in use. HIS sugges-
tons and recommendations are too yolumiuous
Tor recapitulati0n here desire, however, to
call your attention especially, as have that Of
your predecessors, to the loose, Inconsistent and
insecure methods which prevail respecting the
the receipt and disbursement of the public
funds by county officials. The receipts fer the
county treasures of the state for the year end
ing February. 1856. were in excess of 9,0oO.-
600. The present system provides no checks
whatever upon county treasurers for vertical
tion Of their transactions covering this vast
sum- All vouchers and entries pertaining to
the receipt OF these millions of the peoples
money are practically within the control of
the treasurer alone. One would suppose that
statement Of this character would startle the
taxpayers OF the state, but IL has been re-
peatad In this form and by the public examiner
from year TO year, and received no heed This
state or things is accountable for the occasional
defalcations OF county treasurers reported from
time to time. and Is q standing temptation TO
their frequent recurrence The evident remedy
is suggested by the examiner that all receipts
for money should originate in the auditors
once. thus providing an accurate and elective
check upon all transactions OF the treasurer. /
will not close without legislation necessary to
effect this reform.
The recent rapid development OF the state, and
the corresponding increase IN the number OF
moreyed corporations over which the examiner
exercises supervision under the law. has greatly
added to the duties OF his office. Tine work he
must now perform In connection with the &C
counts OF county officers has increased threefold
since the office was established in 1873. Oui
continued growth must constantly add to the
labor imposed upon him. He already finds 1t
Quirements OF the law regulating his duties, and
asks for an increase IN his clerical assistance.
1t would be dinlcult to exaggerate the import,
ance Of this service to the public interests, and
it would be a most mistaken economy to limit
the expenses OF its maintenance in manner to
impair its efficiency.
THE ,,rrrrrI
The Minnesota national guard, as now consti-
tuted, consists OF two REGIMENTS OF infantry. one
battery OF artillery, and troop OF cavalry, repre-
sentlng q total strength OF l,2S9 oncers ana
men. Ihere nave also Deen organized at dlHer-
ent points In the state reserve companies OF In
iahtry u LUG nuhpeF Vi sssoh' W Wnich 1ie
state has furnished arms and equipments. The
national guard Is fairly well equipped and has
attained q satisfactory degree OF proficiency IN a
knowledge OF the military art. Great credit Is
due the officers and men for the time and atten-
ton they have given to their duties as citizen
soldiers. They have shown all appreciation OF
the recognition given them by the state, aud
fully earned the encouragement anu cordial sup
port of our citizens in the maintenance Of their
organization. Some further recognition and adj
ditional aid in this behalf will be asked of this
II q warranted
past service and promise of future usefulness of
the guard. The adjutant generals report makes
some suggestions and recommendations in this
regard winch commend 20 your iayor.